The above-quoted examples are not real warnings from concerned and outraged citizens; they’re invitations that solicit “victims” for yet another Internet prank. In this case the joke comes courtesy of a site similar to several other hoax web sites bearing names such as “National Driver’s License Records Bureau” or the “FBI Criminal Records Search,” sites that purport to show users’ information taken from state driver’s license or law enforcement databases. The punchline is always the same: after the user is led on a merry chase, the site displays a photograph from his “official” government record, and it’s a picture of a chimp, an orangutan, or some other type of monkey or ape. Yuk, yuk.
Mar 15, 2018 When your old license expires, you'll be given a temporary license to carry until your new license comes through. This license lasts for 90 days. If you have not received your new license within 60 days, you can start to check the status of the renewal. Be aware that there's no grace period for an expired driver's license in California.
Perhaps more amusing than this old joke (I had a circus clown take my “photograph” with a prop camera when I was six years old, and that one turned out to be a picture of a monkey too!) is the amount of mail forwarded to us by alarmed readers who have received similar messages and are worried that they’re genuine but are afraid to check for themselves. Simply visiting one of these sites and attempting to look up a “record” is sufficient to dispel the concern that they might be real (if for no other reason than that they don’t ask for nearly enough information to uniquely identify a person), but many viewers are hesitant to try for fear that the information they enter will be collected by someone who might use it for illegitimate (or even illegal) purposes. To this dilemma we offer a handy solution: You can lie to a computer!
If you’re unsure whether a site that collects personal information (and displays even more personal information in response) is legitimate, just enter some fictitious but properly-formatted input and see what happens. If it’s a joke, you’ll soon find out; if the results are inconclusive, you are no worse off than you were before (and you haven’t revealed anything useful in trying). If the site rejects your information (even though it’s properly formatted), that may be an indication the site is indeed tied into a database that can access personal information and merits further investigation. The simplest answer is usually the correct one, however — someone’s having one over on you!
(Driver’s license and police record information is available over the Internet from various sources such as PublicData.com, but these sites are not accessible to everyone for free, nor do they offer information from every state.)
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To renew your California driver's license:- Visit the DMV's online services portal.
- Confirm your information.
- Pay the $37 renewal fee.
CA REAL ID License Update
The California DMV has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in addition to standard non-compliant driver’s licenses. The REAL ID allows you to use your license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings after October 1, 2020. You can choose to receive either a REAL ID or a standard driver's license—details are outlined below.
Renewing Your CA Driver License
Depending on your eligibility, you can renew your California driver's license:
- Online.
- By mail.
- By phone.
- In person.
If you are upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant license, you MUST complete your renewal in person and re-submit your proofs of identity and residency. This will be a one-time event—you won't have to bring these proofs for each renewal.
Below, we'll go through each option.
Online Renewal
You can renew your CA driver's license online if:
- You are not changing your address.
- Your Social Security number (SSN) is on file with the California DMV.
- You are NOT upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant license.
- Your driver's license is NOT more than 120 days from its expiration date.
You will need to first register for the CA DMV online services by visiting the registration website.
Once you've registered, log in to renew your driver's license online. You'll need a credit/debit card or your bank account information to pay the $37 renewal fee for non-commercial Class A and B and $37 for Class C .
Renewal by Mail
To renew your California driver license by mail, you can either complete:
- The renewal notice you received in the mail.
OR - A California Driver License Renewal By Mail Eligibility Information form (DL 410 FO).
Note that if you are upgrading to a REAL ID driver's license, you MUST complete your renewal in person.
Mail your completed application and check/money order for the $37 renewal fee for non-commercial Class A and B and $37 for Class C (write your license number on your payment) to:
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- ATTN: Renewal By Mail Unit
- P.O. Box 942890
- Sacramento, CA 94290
Renew by Phone
To renew your California driver's license by phone, call the number on your renewal notice.
You'll need:
- The Renewal Identification Number (RIN) that appears on your renewal notice.
- A credit/debit card to pay the $37 renewal fee for non-commercial Class A and B and $37 for Class C.
NOTE: Generally, you can renew a REAL ID driver’s license online or by mail, but you might not be able to renew it by phone. Contact the CA DMV if your renewal notice doesn’t give information about renewing a REAL ID by phone.
Renew in Person
You must renew your California driver's license in person if:
- You are 70 years old or older.
- Your driver license will expire in more than 120 days.
- Your last 2 renewals were not completed in person.
- You need to take a written test.
- You're upgrading from a non-compliant license to a REAL ID driver's license.
Visit a CA DMV office and:
- Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application.
- Provide your thumbprint.
- Have your picture taken.
- Submit any REAL ID-required documents, if applicable, including:
- Proof of your Social Security number.
- 2 documents proving your California residency.
- 1 document proving your name and birth date.
- The CA DMV provides a guide to REAL ID-compliant documents.
- Pass a vision test.
- Pass a written exam, if necessary.
- Pay the $37 renewal fee for non-commercial Class A and B and $37 for Class C.
If you’re upgrading to a REAL ID driver’s license, bring 1 document to meet each proof of identity, Social Security number, and California residency requirement. Refer to the state’s list of acceptable documents.
NOTE: If you are required to take a written knowledge test, you will have up to 3 attempts to pass.
CA Military Members & Out-of-State Residents
Out-of-State CA Residents
If you will be out of state when your California driver's license expires, you can request a extension for 1 year for free.
Before your CA driver's license expires, write a letter requesting the extension and include your:
- Full name.
- CA driver license number.
- Date of birth.
- California address.
- Out-of-state address.
Send the letter to:
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- P.O. Box 942890
- Sacramento, CA 94290
Military Members
Notice for Military Members Stationed in Germany
If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.
If you are an active military member, your expired California driver's license will remain valid for 30 days after your honorable discharge, regardless of the expiration date. Your spouse's CA driver's license will also remain valid during this time.
If your California driver license has expired, you need to update your driving record with the CA DMV by calling (916) 657-7790.
You will receive an United States (U.S.) Armed Forces and Foreign Service card (DL 236).
If you are a military member's dependent and your license is expiring, you can either:
- Request a expiration date extension of 1 year. (See above.)
OR - Renew your CA driver's license by calling (916) 657-7790.
Renewals for Non-U.S. Citizens
If you are a non-U.S. citizen with a temporary CA driver's license, you'll need to provide updated birth date and legal presence documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles will mail you extension instructions before your temporary license expires.
Eligibility for CA License Renewal
Your California driver's license expires every 5 years on your birthday.
The CA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will mail you a renewal notice about 3 to 4 months before the expiration date.
Depending on your driver's license status (valid, expired, suspended, or lost/damaged), you can renew either:
- Online.
- By mail.
- By phone.
- In person.
Looking for your license's mailing status?
To get an update on your license, head to our Status Check page, select 'California,' and choose your method of contact to get in touch with the CA DMV.
Unfortunately, DMV.ORG cannot check the mailing status of your license—checking with your local DMV is the best way to get an update.
To be eligible for online, by phone and by mail renewals, you must:
- Have a driver license that expires within 120 days.
- Be less than 70 years old.
- Not have a suspended license or driving probation.
- Not have failed to appear in court within the past 2 years.
- Not made your last 2 renewals by mail.
- Not hold an out-of-state driver's license.
NOTE: Your California driver's license renewal notice will inform you if you qualify to renew online, by phone, or by mail.
After renewing, you will receive a temporary card valid for 90 days to use until you receive your permanent CA driver's license.
If you don't receive your permanent CA driver license within 60 days, call the CA DMV at (800) 777-0133 to check the status of your renewal.
Valid Driver's License
If you hold a valid driver license, you'll be able to renew it up to:
- 6 months before your expiration (this drops to 120 days if you plan to renew online).
- 90 days after your expiration.
NOTE: You can renew in person more than 6 months before your CA driver license expires, but you'll need to submit your current driver's license to the California DMV for cancellation.
Expired, Suspended, or Lost License
Expired Driver's License
You cannot renew your California driver license more than 90 days after it has expired.
You'll need to visit your local CA Department of Motor Vehicle office and complete a new Driver License or Identification Card Application.
Get the form at the CA DMV office, or have the form mailed to you by calling (800) 777-0133.
Suspended Driver's License
If your CA driver license has been suspended, you'll need to reinstate your driving privileges before you can renew it.
For more information, please see our Suspended License in California page.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License
If your CA driver license is lost or stolen, you should report it to the CA DMV at (886) 658-5758 or email [email protected].
For more information on getting a replacement card, please see our Replacing a Lost License in California page.
If your lost, stolen, or damaged California driver's license is due for renewal, you can renew it instead of applying for a replacement card using the appropriate method listed below.
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